Temping in 2023: FAQ, Answered by Paul Steele

Paul Steele is our resident expert when it comes to temporary recruitment, so we asked him to answer some FAQ on how to temp well. Here’s what Paul had to say…

On average, I speak to around 60 candidates a day, I can place between 100-200 temps a year, and I started my career back in 2002 – that’s a lot of temps. So, I thought I would put some time aside to answer some FAQ on how to temp well.

1. Why do candidates want to temp?

Some candidates simply enjoy the adventure of a new contract, and then there are those (especially part-qualified) who are looking to ramp their experience up quicker by taking on multiple contracts – granted, the market is a little difficult now, but temping can rapidly advance your skillset, as you can cover 5years of experience in a matter of 2-3 contracts.

2. Do you have temps that you can rely on? What makes them reliable?

A reliable contractor is someone that sees the contract through. As the market is fast-moving, temp contractors generally find a new role quite easy to jump into.

3. How long before a temping contract finishes, should someone start looking for their next role?

It’s usually between 2-4 weeks; it depends on whether the contractor wants to take a break in between or not.

4. What will help a temp move between roles easier (for example: having a handful of recruitment agents they work with or registering to certain job boards)?

A good temp contractor won’t be with every agency. I think that it’s best to stick with the consultants that you know and trust. It’s always good to apply for jobs on Reed, Total Jobs and CV Library as it will show your actively looking, but you will likely be inundated with agency phone calls.

5. What are a couple of reasons a company would want to keep a temp for longer?

Temps appear to be more desirable to employers in the current market, as they are waiting out the pandemic. Temps are very desirable at the moment as they can come in for emergency cover or reinforce the business through unexpected peaks in trade without adding to the permanent headcount.

6. Do a lot of temp roles go from temporary to permanent?

Absolutely: I would say about 80% of my temp contracts go permanent.

7. What advice would you give to anyone considering temping at the moment?

Don’t be afraid of taking a temp contract; if you are available, it can help (especially in the current market) to keep your CV going and help you to make an informed decision on a role when the market picks up. Also, you never know, the role that you’re working in could go permanent. Looking to move into a role just because it’s permanent is usually a bad idea, as you could find yourself on the market looking 6months later and trying to explain in your next interview why you’re leaving a perm role so soon. When you have taken on a temp role, your reason for leaving is self-explanatory, and it doesn’t get questioned as much.

If you are a contractor seeking a new role or a client seeking a contractor, and you would like further information and guidance, I specialise in transactional finance, payroll or part-qualified opportunities, and I am always available for a confidential conversation: PaulSteele@workwithglee.com | 0121 752 9933